KMTT - the Torah Podcast

War and Religion #1: War and the Cleansing of Cultural Evil, by Rav Moshe Taragin

Vayishlach | An Embrace, A Kiss and Those Mysterious Masoretic Dots, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yaakov's long-awaited and long-feared reunion with his brother, Esav, proves to be joyous, welcoming and ultimately, Yaakov's trepidation was proved to be baseless. When the two formerly competitive siblings finally see each other after decades of separation, Esav "falls on his neck, kisses him and they weep." The word וישקהו ("he kisses him") is directed by the Masorah to be dotted and every Sefer Torah has a dot over each of those six letters. We explore the phenomenon of "dotted words", surveying the literature and the various explanations for the seemingly random dotted words. We then look at the particular use of the dots in this instance and suggest a far-reaching implication that the dots may carry, one which gives us a fresh and more charitable perspective on Esav's feelings towards his brother during these long years of separation. Source sheet >>

Ramban On The Torah | 22 | Vayishlach, by Rav Eli Weber

Swords of Iron | The Overlap between Halakha, Machshava and Emuna, by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS Shiur given to the Overseas Talmidim, Nov 27, 2023

Swords of Iron | On Pidyon Shvuyim, by Rav Moshe Taragin Religious perspectives upon releasing hostages from Azza; feeling gratitude even under imperfect conditions.  

Swords of Iron | Happiness and Horror: Reflections on the Hostage Deal, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb On the belief in the value of every individual. We pray for the safe return of all the hostages.

Female Wartime Leadership: Devora HaNevia and Her Message Why was a woman chosen to lead Bnei Yisrael at a time of war? Devora Hanevia (and the other women in the story) bring a message that is very relevant to us right now. To uncover this message, though, we need to read the story carefully and pay attention to the geography of Eretz Yisrael. Shiur given to GPATS students at Stern College, Nov 16, 2023, during Swords of Iron. May we hear besorot tovot.

Swords of Iron | Maintaining Unity after the War, by Rav Alan Haber '86 Discussion on the challenge of maintaining our blessed newly-found unity after the war is over. Given at the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center in Livingston, NJ, Nov 14, 2023

Nichum Aveilim: What - and What Not - to Do at a Shiva Visit, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb An halakhic shiur given on Nov 22, 2023 at Kehillat HaEla (Ramat Beit Shemesh).  In addition to the dedications mentioned by Rav Gottlieb, we add Alon Shevut's latest tragedy, may this be for an iluy neshama for Eitan Dov Rosensweig, ben Uzi veChagit, HY"D.

Vayetze | Who Knew What and When - Revisited, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Was Rachel aware that she was Yaakov's promised bride?  Continuing our inquiry from last year's shiur, we explore the description of Lavan's "deception" of Yaakov regarding his marriage to (Rahel) Leah then Rahel and explore what each of the players in this dramatic sequence may have known or believed about the dramatic and meta-historically significant wedding night. We contrast the straightforward read of the text with the Midrashic approach and explain the role that each plays in our study of this scene and of the complex relationship between Yaakov and Lavan. Source sheet >>